The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-20
FORGOT THEIR LINES.

FORGOT THEIR LINES.
The Ludicrous Experiences of "Yankee" Rob- |
inson and Gen. Dan Macauley on the Stage.
Many years ago F. L. Robinson, better known |
as Yankee" Robinson, told the writer of an
event in which he was the principal actor Away |
back in the fortes he kept cheap eating house |
under or adjoining the Olympic Theater, in St
Louis, and his place was much frequented by
the members Of the theater company. Being SO
much in their company, and hearing so much
stage talk, he became fred with an ambition to
become an actor He made friends with the
stage manager. and persistently importuned him
for an opportunity to play part He was often
employed as super, to stand about and help
make up the stage picture. but he wanted part
in which he could hear the sound of his voice
He was certain he would make hit
even in a trifing part. At last a mishap to a
member of the company gave him the long
awaited opportunity. The play for the night
was Richard III, by the company, and one of
the general utility men, who had been cast for
Ratcliff. had slipped upon An icy pavement and
sprained an ankle that he could not walk.
Robinson was summoned and offered the chance
to play Ratcif. which he eagerly accepted. In
the acting edition Ratcllff has no speech to make.
until near the close Of the fourth act, when he
enters with Catesby and addresses Richard as
follows:
Most mi ghty sovereign, on the Western coast
Rideth puissant navy; to the shore
Throng many doubtful hollow hearted friends,
Unarm'd and unresolved to beat them back;
IT'S thought that Richmond is their admiral;
And there they hull. expecting but the aid
Of Buckingham to welcome them ashore
Robinson said he never felt better than when
he had finished dressing for the part, and he
firmly believed he would create sensation.
When he took his position in the wing await
| his cue he began to feel nervous. and a choking
sensation began to assail his throat. He forgot
| his cue, and was still more completely ratified
| by having the prompter give him a combined
| slap and push. and hiss in his That's
your cue; go on you duffer!" Poor Robinson
staggered the stage, his mind perfect
| blank. He could not have told the name Of the
| play or his part, much less repeat line of his
| speech The rest of the story may be told in
| his own words:
Richard stared at me, and stared stupidity
| back at Richard. WELL said Richard, soto
| voice. WELL sir. answered. in a voice which,
| though probably not heard beyond the foot
light, seemed to me to rival the loudest thunder.
| Richard grasped the situation, and endeavored
to bridge the chasm by putting my speech to
| me in the form of question. to which l might
| give aO amrmatlVo reply. he O6gau Win
g 'Is't true that on the western coast etc.
| "As he proceeded my senses gradually re-
| turned to me, and realized what an awful mess
| I had made Of it, and with the realization came
| the desire to retrieve my blasted fortune; So
acting upon the spur Of impulse. as Richard cor
and shouted with all my power, Yes stree. Bob!
and fed from the stage. Yet rrecpitate as was
| my flight, could see that Richard was almost
paralyzed There was full house. and every
hnxys 4hn 3ta- Md 70
join in the shout that followed me on my head
long race to the dressing room. didn't stop to
| change my dress. but, gathering up my own
clothes, continued my fight until was safe
locked behind me. learned afterward that the
scene was, far as the audience was concerned,
finished in dumb show and that the laughter
was kept up until the curtain rose for the fifth
act Another member of the company had to
double for the part of Ratcliff in the last act.
have been many years in the show business since
then, both as actor and manager, but that night
in st. Louis was my first last and only appear
ance Ratclif l have always thought that
J my manner of playing it was strikingly original
: l am certain it brought me more applause thar
. any other actor ever received for his rendering
OF the part"
Somewhat after the same character was an ex
perience of Gen. Dan Macauley, as related by
his brother. Barney, the noted actor. recentl,
deceased. II occurred in Buffalo, when botf
Barney and the General were members O
the same company. Barney as leading man ant
: the General as utility. During the engagement
of a noted star Hamlet had been billed, ant
. the General was cast for the gentleman who il
the fifth scene of the fourth act rushes into tn
presence of the King and cries out:
Save yourself my lord;
The ocean. overpowering of his list,
Eats not the flats with more mpetuous haste
q Thou young Laertes in q riotous head,
: O'erbears your officers! The rabble call him lord
| And, as the world were now but to begin.
Antiquity forgot, custom not known,
The ratiiers and props of every word.
: They cry, Choose we; Laertes shall be king!"
Caps hands and tongues applaud it to the Clouds
s '.Laertes shall be king; Laertes king"
{ The watchful eye of the prompter saw tina
! young Macauley was not in the wing, ready I
Z answer his cue and the call boy was dispatche
= in haste to find him. AS Barney told the story
! the boy found Dan somewhere at the back of tn
u stage, flirting with the soubrette, Tor "singin
= cham bermad" as she was called in those days
u and hurried him to his post, where he arrive
- just in time to hear his cue
. Where are my Switzersa Let them guard the door.
- What is the matter
A He rushed upon the stage, but every word {
{. his speech had vanished from his memory, an
j in his desperation he could only gasp out 'sSav
q YOURSELF He's coming up stairs" And theI
a realizing that that was place for him. b
y rushed across the stage and out through the lei
il upper entrance presenting, in his rapid figh
a more the appearance of e comet In sashed doul
let and crimson tights than of a general utili,
ar actor. After that for while at least, the &c,
a eral was careful to be on hand betmes SO tn,
Az a hurried entrance might not disturb his usual
n placid mind
-